IRENE MARIE OLSON

IRENE MARIE OLSON Irene Olson passed away at the Betel Home, Selkirk, MB on May 6, 2014 at the age of 104 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Christian and Louise Hyslien, and her husband Harry, all of Calgary, AB. She was the dear mother of her two sons, Keith (Barbara) of East Selkirk, MB and Brian of Moose Jaw, SK; grandmother of seven grandchildren and great-grandmother of 13 great-grandchildren. Irene was born in Fergus Falls, MN, April 17, 1910. At the age of two years the family immigrated to Moose Jaw, SK and, shortly after, due to a typhoid epidemic, moved to High River to live with relatives there. They then moved to Calgary where her father had found work. Mother completed her education there and, from a young age, was active in the Trinity Lutheran Church where she became the organist, a responsibility she held for 12 years. It was there that she met her husband to be. Mother and dad were married in 1932 and moved to Island Falls, SK, where dad was employed by the Churchill River Power Co., a subsidiary of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. of Flin Flon, MB. Island Falls was an isolated community with only company employees living there. There was no road access and travel in and out, in the early days, was mostly by bush plane. Mother enjoyed being involved in whatever was going on. In the winter, she curled, played badminton and whenever there was a social gathering, including teas and other events for the ladies, she was there. In the summer she enjoyed camping and boating on the Churchill and helping dad build a cottage up river from the power plant. This cottage is still being used by the family. There was no church at Island Falls, so, for the children, mother and her close friend, Viv Christensen, started a Sunday School which they ran for many years. Following automation of the power plant in 1967, the town was shut down and mom and dad moved to Flin Flon and, upon dad's retirement in 1969, they moved back to Calgary. Dad passed away in 1991 and, in 2005, mom moved to Woodland Courts in Selkirk and, in 2008, to Betel Home. The funeral service will take place in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk, MB, on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. The family wishes to thank the fine staff at Betel for their love and care shown to mother during her time there and, also the Hymn Sing group which faithfully encouraged, each week, the residents there. Donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.comPublish Date: May 10, 2014

Condolences & Memories (3 entries)

I love you very much Grandma. You're with Jesus now, no more struggles.
- Posted by: blaine cheadle (great grandson) on: May 12, 2014

My sincere sympathy for Keith & Barb and family. May your mother always have a special place in your heart. Take care.
- Posted by: Tracy Onishko (Hairstylist for Keith and Barb ) on: May 09, 2014

I send my condolences to the Family. I know it is hard to see loved ones pass.....
- Posted by: SHARON WARD (grand daughter of Robert (BOB) Olson who was Born in 1907 St Peters field Manitoba ) on: May 08, 2014